What Do You Like About Your Body?

“By 13 years-old 53% of girls say they are unhappy with their bodies. When were we happy? Marie C. photographed and interviewed 4-8 year old girls and asked them what they liked about their bodies to find out. These girls share wisdom the rest of us have forgotten.”- Interrupt (interruptmag.com)

Comments

comments

Sarah Springer

I absolutely adored seeing this. I've watch my niece grow up, and I know that she didn't start having her own body issues until about eleven or so. I think I was about that age when they hit me as well. I can only hope that I can channel these girls on a bad day, and that they can channel themselves as well!

Notice how the focus is mostly on functionality, not what their bodies look like? Looking at this the conclusion seems to be that by 13 girls have learned that society values what their bodies look like more than anything else about their bodies.

I'll be honest at 13 I didn't like much. I was overweight, my hair looked crazy but I was happy, and I never really let my looks get me down. I loved my eyes because a lot of people told me they were gorgeous. My mom mainly! I used to get teased for having a smaller nose. I must have heard "pie face" a million times to the point that my skin was as thick as leather. After awhile I started laughing at these people who always told me "what they didn't like". While they wasted all of that energy I was off doing things and enjoying my childhood around people who didn't care what I looked like.

But as I grew older I started loving my long legs, my eyes, and my hands. What I still don't like is my boobs and belly but that's because it hurts my back and my belly fat keeps my health down.

This is very true. I remember beginning to think of myself as "fat" by the age on 10, unfortunately. Since then I lived a very self-conscious life and it has taken me years to build the confidence to find clothes that I like and feel comfortable wearing them. Your blog is such an inspiration!